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A teratoid Wilms' tumor with raised serum alpha-fetoprotein level
M T Ashworth1, B L Pizer, A Oakhill
1Department of Pediatric Pathology, Bristol Royal Hospital for Sick Children, United Kingdom.
Abstract:
Tumor markers are used to diagnose certain cancers and can be useful in monitoring the response to treatment. We describe a renal tumor with the features of a teratoid nephroblastoma associated with a raised serum level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). The serum AFP remained high during chemotherapy but returned to normal after nephrectomy. AFP was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in cysts lined by enteric-type epithelium within the tumor. Cytogenetic examination of the tumor showed a clone of cells with trisomy 8. Raised serum AFP has not previously been described in teratoid Wilms' tumor.